New Era FC of Ajara on Saturday defeated Lion FC of Badagry 2-1 to emerge winner of the fourth edition of OIL 88 football tournament.
The competition was organised by Mr Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, popularly known as OIL, a member representing Badagry Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The winning team, apart from going home with the coveted trophy, got a cash prize of N100,000 donated by the lawmaker.
Other awards presented include Best Goalkeeper, won by Wahab Ayeni of New Era, and Utility Player, won by Michael Hunpe of Lion FC.
Gbenga Peter, Coach of New Era FC, commended the lawmaker for the competition.
“I am happy to lift this cup having failed twice at the finals of the last two editions. We need more under age competitions.
“We don’t have good pitches to train and we are not allowed to train in schools; we only come to army barracks here if the field is available,” he said.
Seyon Padonu, the Captain of New Era FC, who attributed the victory to the determination of the team, urged the government to organise more competitions.
Mautin Hungbo, the coach of Lion FC, also commended the lawmaker, calling for more competitions at the grassroots.
He said there were many talents wasting away at the grassroots.
Earlier, Badagry Soccer Warriors defeated All Stars of Atipromen 3-0 to win the bronze medal of the tournament.
The Match Commissioner, Toyon Sonayon, said the tournament, which involved 24 teams across Badagry Constituency, lasted one month.
Sonayon, who expressed satisfaction with the skills displayed by the young players, said regular competitions would bring the best out of them.
In his remarks, Layode said he was motivated by the complaints of the youths that they needed regular football competitions.
The lawmaker assured the youths that he would always give them support.
He said that he had also organised marathon competition for both young girls and boys in the area. (NAN)
